Chap. I. ver. 1.—in the thirtieth year.] Usher, Prideaux, Lowth, and others, reckon the thirty years here spoken of, as well as the forty days or years mentioned in chap. iv. 6, from the covenant made by Josiah in the eighteenth year of his reign. See 2 Kings xxiii. 3. According to which computation this thirtieth year corresponds with the year of the world 3410, and the fifth year of Jehoiachin's captivity; or about 595 before Christ, as in the margin. Other chronologers conceive it to be the thirtieth year of Ezekiel's age; or the thirtieth of Nabopolasser's reign; and others the thirtieth year from the jubilee. Ezekiel usually dates his prophecies from the era of his appointment to the prophetical office. Dr. Gray. — fourth month.] Thammuz, which nearly corresponds to our July. Abp. Newcome. The sacred year is here understood, which began with the month Nisan. See the note on Exod. xii. 2. — among the captives] The margin of our Bible, and the Septuagint, express "in the midst of the captivity." It is not therefore to be imagined that Ezekiel was surrounded by a group of captives, when these visions occurred to him, but that he was in the place of his exile with the other captives who dwelt around him. Calmet. — Chebar.] A river in Mesopotamia, which falls into the Euphrates near Carchemish. It is mentioned by Ptolemy under the name of Chaboras. Abp. Newcome. — the heavens were opened.] The eyes of the Prophet were strengthened with celestial light. St. Jerome says, that the heavens were opened, not by a division of the sky, but by the faith of the believer. Calmet. 2. — the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity.] This was the thirteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign; for Jehoiachin was carried captive in the eighth, 2 Kings xxiv. 12. It was also the fifth year of the reign of 3. — and the hand of the Lord &c.] The efficacy of God's Spirit did shew itself in and upon him in his holy revelations. Bp. Hall. The "hand of the Lord" marks the action, the force, the energy of the Holy Spirit. Abp. Newcome. 4. — out of the north.] This is supposed to denote the calamities which were to burst on Jerusalem from her northern enemies, the Chaldeans. Abp. Newcome. See the notes on Jer. i. 13; iv. 6. — a fire infolding itself.] Appearing in folds like one wreath within another. W. Lowth. Embracing itself, not spreading. Moses uses the same expression when he speaks of the storm excited by him in Egypt, Exod. ix. 24. Abp. Newcome. — amber.] By "amber" the ancients often meant a mixed metal of gold and silver, which was much celebrated for its beautiful lustre, and which, when exposed to the fire, becomes more bright and shining. Parkhurst. 5. — four living creatures.] Compare Rev. iv. 6. — likeness of a man.] They had the human stature. Howbigant. The likeness might consist partly in their moving erect upon two legs, and partly in their having several members of the human form. Calmet. 7. — straight feet;] Their legs were straight up like those of a man, without any power of bending but at the knee. Bp. Hall, Abp. Newcome. — like the sole of a calf's foot:] And their feet were round as the circumference of a calf's foot, for the greater fitness of that turning motion which they should be put unto. Bp. Hall. 8. — hands—wings] Wings and hands are instru- Before CHRIST about 595. + Heb. catching itself. + Heb. a straight foot. round about.] Terrours came upon me on every side by thy appointment; just as multitudes used to flock to Jerusalem at the times of the solemn feasts. The phrase "fear or terrour on every side," is elsewhere used by Jeremiah to express great misery and desolation, Jer. vi. 25; xx. 3; xlvi. 5; xlix. 29. W. Lowth. Chap. III. ver. 2. — darkness, — light.] "Darkness" is a common emblem of distress, as "light" is of prosperity. Dr. Blayney. 16. He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, &c.] In this and the foregoing verse, the Prophet aggravates the calamities of his people by such expressions as imply, that, instead of any support or comfort, they find nothing but miseries and afflictions: see note on Jer. ix. 15. The Septuagint render the latter part of the verse, "He hath fed me with ashes," that is, We fare as hard as those who feed upon bread baked in ashes, whose teeth are in danger of being broken by grits and stones. Compare Ps. cii. 9; Job vi. 7. W. Lowth. 11. — my liver is poured upon the earth.] Compare Job xvi. 13. Dr. Blayney. 13. What thing shall I take to witness for thee?] With what example of like misery shall I go about to comfort thee? Bp. Hall. — thy breach is great like the sea.] Like the breaking in of the sea, that overflows a whole country, where no stop can be put to the inundation. W. Lowth. 14. — they have not discovered thine iniquity, &c.] They have not given the people a just sense of their iniquities, in order to avert God's judgment; but rather flatter them in their sins, with the hope of impunity. See Jer. v. 31; xiv. 14. W. Lowth. — false burdens] The Hebrew word is usually translated "burden," and generally signifies a burdensome prophecy: see the note on Jer. xxiii. 33. But it likewise imports prophecy in general: see Prov. xxx. 1; xxxi. 1: and so it is used here; for Jeremiah complains of those impostors, who prophesied of peace, and soothed men in their sins to their final destruction. W. Lowth. 15. All that pass by clap their hands at thee.] See note at Job xxvii. 23. 17. — he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded] God hath not surprised us by these providences; He gave us notice what He would do, and hath done no more than what He threatened long since, Lev. xxvi. 16, &c.; Deut. xxviii. 15, &c. It is true He hath 17. — I forgat prosperity.] I have been a stranger to prosperity long enough to wear the remembrance of it out of my mind: so Joseph, speaking of the seven years of famine, saith, that "plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt," Gen. xli. 30. By the same figure the Prophet Isaiah, describing happy times, saith, "the former troubles are forgotten," chap. lxv. 16. W. Lowth. 18. — O wall of the daughter of Zion, &c.] As the wall and ramparts are said to lament, ver. 8, because their ruins are objects of lamentation; so here devout persons, upon the destruction of the city, direct their prayers to God, as if the ruins themselves did entreat Him to have compassion on the miseries of that place, which He had chosen for his peculiar residence. W. Lowth. 19. — in the top of every street.] The same phrase occurs, chap. iv. 1; Isa. li. 20; Nahum iii. 10; and perhaps signifies "in every street;" (W. Lowth;) or at the extremity of the streets at either end. Dr. Blayney. 19. — wormwood and the gall.] See note on Jer. ix. 15. 20. — Shall the women eat their fruit, &c.] We find by comparing this verse with chap. iv. 10, that God brought upon them that terrible judgment, which He had denounced against them, if they continued to provoke Him; namely, that they should "eat the flesh of their own sons and daughters," Lev. xxvi. 29; Deut. xxviii. 53; Jer. xix. 9. W. Lowth. Before CHRIST about 588. c Lev. 26. 16. Deut. 28. 15. f Jer. 14. 17. ch. 1. 16. evaddled with their hands? The faithful bewail their calamities. LAMENTATIONS. God's mercies a proper Before CHRIST about 588. of thine anger; thou hast killed, and not pitied.